But since joining the staff with Self in 2003 in a part-time role before becoming a full-time assistant in 2007, Manning has given back to his alma mater in the most productive way. He tutors and helps shape the bigs into some of the game’s most impactful players.

Robinson is Kansas’ second straight Big 12 Player of the Yyear. He follows Marcus Morris, who followed all-conference choice Aldrich, and so on.

Prospects often come to Kansas highly regarded, but after working with Manning they take the next step.

“Working with Coach Manning, I’ve improved so much,” Withey said.

Where?

Post moves, footwork, concentration, angles, Manning works with the bigs on the total game.

Before the season Robinson averaged 5.1 points in two seasons off the bench. He takes averages of 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds into Friday’s NCAA Tournament opener against Detroit in Omaha.

Robinson tends to speak softly, almost mumble, when talking about himself. When the subject turns to Manning, he makes sure he’s heard.

“Just slowing me down, and being patient with my moves,” Robinson said. “It’s not about speed, but getting the move right and making sure it works. Everything slowed down for me. With that came better footwork.”

Ah, footwork. That’s where it starts for Manning.

“It’s something we stress each and every day,” Manning said. “Your feet put you in a position to score. So we spend time on footwork, spend time on hand-eye coordination, and we do different drills to create better awareness of what’s going around you.”

Manning was asked what drills improve awareness. It’s all of them, at the same time.

A post player will be working on his move from the right side, another from the left side and a player will have to negotiate his way through the confusion and concentrate on his task.

“When I first got here, I was running into people,” Withey said. “Now, you see the benefits of it.”

One player, one ball is easy, Manning said, but it doesn’t simulate a game.

“There are nine guys out there around him, where are they?” Manning said.

Withey averaged 2.0 points in 41 games over two seasons. This year he’s averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and leads the Big 12 in blocked shots.

All of this works because Kansas intends it to. The Jayhawks emphasize the high-low game. In half-court sets, the post gets fed. If the shot isn’t there, the ball goes back out.

Big guys develop a series of moves, one off each shoulder, and counter moves. Withey has added a sweeping hook to his repertoire, which he shoots with either hand.

As a college player, Manning was more of a 6-10 do-everything for the Jayhawks and a pure post. He left Kansas not only with a crown but a national player of the year award, and school records for points and rebounds.

He averaged more than three assists in six of his 15 NBA seasons, and playing for seven franchises, Manning had plenty of coaches to study. But some of the drills Kansas employs come from Manning’s days at Kansas under Larry Brown. Self was a graduate assistant in one of those years.

And no matter who has coached Kansas over the past three decades, big men have always been emphasized. Under Roy Williams, Mark Randall, Greg Ostertag, Scot Pollard, Raef LaFrentz, Eric Chenowith, Drew Gooden and Nick Collison were drafted.

Historically, big men have played prominent roles in Kansas hoop history: Clyde Lovellette leading the way to the 1952 NCAA title. A few years later, Wilt Chamberlain as the program’s greatest talent.

Self’s teams have continued the bigness.

“Our big guys touch the basketball and that’s something Coach Self has done since I can remember,” Manning said. “It’s evolved, but the basis always comes back to the anchor in the middle. All good teams have someone in the middle to anchor it, whether it’s offensively or defensively.”

Self believes that makes Kansas unique.

“There aren’t a ton of teams in the country right now that play inside out,” Self said. “Maybe that’s because there aren’t as many big guys to go around.

“And when we play our worst, it’s when we don’t play inside out.”

Give Manning the credit, Self said. But is the Kansas hero ready to add CEO duties to teaching an assume a program of his own?

“You always aspire to get better and improve, and you want to hear each and every day,” Manning said. “You soak up as much as much as you can, and when it happens, it happens.”